Pierre de Fayet

Pierre de Fayet (1675-8 July 1737) was the Governor-General of Saint-Domingue under the Kingdom of France from 8 October 1732 to 8 July 1737. During his rule, he oppressed the Saint-Dominguan creoles, causing the Maroon Rebellion and his death.

Biography
Pierre, Marquis de Fayet, had a long and distinguished naval career under the Kingdom of France, which included warfare against Great Britain during the War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1714). Fayet was made the Governor-General of Saint-Domingue on 8 October 1732, the seventh holder of the title. During his tenure as Governor-General, he was threatened by Augustin Dieufort, the leader of the Maroon (runaway slave) community of Saint-Domingue, and the Maroon Rebellion reached its height under Fayet's rule. As slaves were liberated by Dieufort and Adewale, Fayet retaliated by killing slaves accused of supporting the rebels. He also ordered the scuttling of all slave ships under attack by the Maroon ship "Experto Crede" in order to deprive the Maroons of more potential soldiers. The result was Adewale marking Fayet for death to prevent more atrocities.

Death
Pierre de Fayet was attacked in his mansion by Adewale and other Maroons in 1737, the third year of warfare. Fayet fled to the guard post as Adewale assassinated the French guards, and he wielded a branding iron against Adewale. Adewale disarmed him and picked up the branding iron, striking Fayet down with his own former weapon. In his dying breath, he insisted that the slaves were animals who would resort to murder and rebellion if they had no masters.